Close call over Stockport
 

Did anyone else see this morning the single engine prop aircraft circling over Stockport/Hyde around 9.15?

It did a few circuits and then got surprised by SK 0539 coming into Manchester from Copenhagen. Not sure how close it actually was, but it's unusual to see other traffic in that area at that altitude, except the police helicopter.

Can anyone shed any light on it?

What do you mean by "got surprised by" ?

It didn't seem to notice the SAS plane coming in and continued in a Northerly direction as the other aircraft came in from the East, cutting across its path.

Vertically separated?

I suspect it looked closer than it actually was. I assume both a/c would have been speaking to MAN Approach/radar, if there had of been any risk or anyone not talking to ATC etc then the SK would of been routed away from any possible confliction. Things often look closer from the ground than they really are. As someone who flies PPL regularly in controlled airspace i can assure you that separation is always strictly controlled / maintained.

Didn't see or hear anything. I live in the Matley lane area of Hyde/Stalybridge.